WO2020184608A1

WO2020184608A1 - Paper sheet detection device, paper sheet detection method, and paper sheet processing device

Info

Publication number: WO2020184608A1
Application number: PCT/JP2020/010484
Authority: WO
Inventors: 五十嵐　治; 高橋　仁; 徹稲毛
Original assignee: ローレルバンクマシン株式会社; ローレル機械株式会社; ローレル精機株式会社
Priority date: 2019-03-14
Filing date: 2020-03-11
Publication date: 2020-09-17
Also published as: EP3940656A1; JP7134435B2; CN113646809B; CN113646809A; US11858775B2; US20220153546A1; EP3940656B1; EP3940656A4; JP2020149455A

Abstract

A paper sheet detection device comprising: an optical sensor having a light-emitting unit that emits light, and a light-receiving unit that receives the emitted light; a storage unit that stores a first threshold value used for determining whether or not a paper sheet is present in the path of the emitted light, a target light-receiving level set as a target value of the level of light received by the light-receiving unit in the absence of the paper sheets, and a second threshold value that is set to a value that is equal to or greater than the first threshold value and less than the target light-receiving level; an estimation unit that determines whether the level of light received by the light-receiving unit is equal to or greater than the first threshold value and less than the second threshold value, and that estimates whether or not the paper sheet is present; and a light amount adjusting unit that adjusts the amount of light emitted by the light-emitting unit such that the level of the light received by the light-receiving unit becomes the target light-receiving level in the absence of the paper sheets when it is estimated that the paper sheets are absent by the estimation unit after the estimation unit determines that the level of light received by the light-receiving unit is equal to or higher than the first threshold value and less than the second threshold value.

Description

Paper leaf detection device, paper leaf detection method and paper leaf processing device

The present invention relates to a paper leaf detection device, a paper leaf detection method, and a paper leaf processing device.

This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-047278 filed on March 14, 2019, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

In recent years, in some countries, banknotes made of synthetic resin polymer materials (hereinafter referred to as polymer banknotes) have been used for the purpose of improving durability and security. Some polymer banknotes of this type have a non-transparent area printed on the surface and a transparent area not printed on the surface, and anti-counterfeiting measures are applied to the transparent area.

Conventionally, as a paper leaf detection device, in order to detect such a polymer banknote, a light transmission type optical sensor having a light emitting unit that irradiates light and a light receiving unit that receives light emitted from the light emitting unit has been used. Be done. In this optical sensor, when there is no polymer banknote between the light emitting part and the light receiving part, the light emitted from the light emitting part is not blocked by the polymer banknote, and almost all of the irradiated light is received by the light receiving part. .. On the other hand, when a polymer banknote is present between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit, the light emitted from the light emitting unit is blocked by the non-transparent region of the polymer banknote, and the irradiated light is not received by the light receiving unit. In this way, the paper leaf detection device detects the presence or absence of polymer banknotes based on the light receiving level of the light received by the light receiving portion of the optical sensor (see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-036874

However, in the conventional paper leaf detection device, when the transparent region of the polymer banknote is located on the optical path of the light emitted from the light emitting portion of the optical sensor, most of the light emitted from the light emitting portion transmits through the transparent region. , The light receiving level of the light receiving part becomes high. As a result, the paper leaf detection device may make an erroneous determination that the polymer banknote does not exist even though the polymer banknote exists between the light emitting part and the light receiving part, and the presence or absence of the polymer banknote is appropriately determined. It may not be detected. Such a problem can also occur when a light-reflecting optical sensor is used. Such a problem may occur not only in polymer banknotes but also in other paper sheets as long as the paper sheets have different light transmission states and reflection states depending on the location.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a paper leaf detection device, a paper leaf detection method, and a paper leaf processing device capable of satisfactorily detecting the presence or absence of paper leaves.

The first aspect according to the present invention is an optical sensor having a light emitting portion that irradiates light, a light receiving portion that receives the irradiated light, and whether paper sheets are present in the path of the irradiated light. A first threshold value used for determining whether or not the light is received, a target light receiving level set as a target value of the level of light received by the light receiving unit in the absence of the paper sheets, and a target larger than the first threshold value and the target. It is determined whether the storage unit that stores the second threshold value set to a value smaller than the light receiving level and the level of light received by the light receiving unit are equal to or higher than the first threshold value and lower than the second threshold value. After the estimation unit that estimates whether or not the paper sheets are present and the estimation unit determines that the level of light received by the light receiving unit is equal to or higher than the first threshold value and lower than the second threshold value. When it is estimated by the estimation unit that the paper sheets do not exist, the light emitted by the light emitting unit so that the level of light received by the light receiving unit in the absence of the paper sheets becomes the target light receiving level. It is a paper leaf detection device having a light amount adjusting unit for adjusting the amount of light.

Further, in the second aspect according to the present invention, the above-mentioned paper leaf detection device, the reception unit for receiving the input of the above-mentioned paper leaves, and the above-mentioned paper leaf detection device are provided to store the above-mentioned paper leaves. Paper leaf processing including an accumulation unit, an identification counting unit that identifies and counts the paper sheets, and a distribution unit that distributes the paper sheets identified and counted by the identification counting unit to the accumulation unit. It is a device.

Further, in the third aspect of the present invention, the light emitting unit irradiates the light, the light receiving unit receives the irradiated light, and the level of the light received by the light receiving unit is in the path of the irradiated light. It is equal to or higher than the first threshold used for determining whether or not paper leaves are present, and is smaller than the target light receiving level set as the target value of the light level received by the light receiving unit in the absence of the paper leaves. It is determined whether or not it is less than the second threshold value set in the value, it is estimated whether or not the paper sheets are present, and the level of light received by the light receiving unit is equal to or higher than the first threshold value and less than the second threshold value. When it is estimated that the paper sheets do not exist after the determination, the light emitting unit is set so that the level of light received by the light receiving unit in the absence of the paper sheets becomes the target light receiving level. It is a paper leaf detection method including adjusting the amount of light emitted by the paper.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a paper leaf detection device, a paper leaf detection method, and a paper leaf processing device capable of satisfactorily detecting the presence or absence of paper leaves.

It is a schematic block diagram of the inside which the paper leaf processing apparatus including the paper leaf type detecting apparatus which concerns on embodiment is seen from the front side. It is a front view which shows typically the polymer banknote detected by the paper leaf detection apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram of the paper leaf processing apparatus including the paper leaf type detecting apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a schematic diagram explaining an example of the light receiving level of the light received by the light receiving part of the paper leaf detection apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a block diagram of the paper leaf detection apparatus which concerns on embodiment, and shows typically the state of light at the time of detecting the transparent area of a polymer banknote. It is a front view which shows typically the state of light at the time of detecting the non-transparent area of a polymer banknote by the paper leaf detection apparatus which concerns on embodiment. Part (A) is a diagram for explaining a threshold setting method in the paper leaf detection device according to the related technology, and part (B) explains a threshold setting method in the paper leaf detection device according to the embodiment. It is a figure. It is a flowchart explaining the paper leaf type detection method which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the method of estimating the residue of a paper leaf in the paper leaf detection method which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure explaining an example of the notification by the operation display part of the paper leaf detection device which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the modification of the method of estimating the residue of paper leaf in the paper leaf detection method which concerns on embodiment. It is a characteristic diagram which shows the light receiving level of a light receiving part with respect to the light amount.

[Embodiment]
The paper leaf detection device, the paper leaf detection method, and the paper leaf processing device according to the embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a paper leaf processing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment. The paper leaf processing apparatus 1 performs processing for classifying paper leaves such as banknotes, securities, and gold tickets as paper leaves. Here, a case where a process of classifying banknotes as paper sheets is performed will be described as an example.

<Hardware configuration of paper leaf processing device 1>
First, the hardware configuration of the paper leaf processing apparatus 1 will be described.
The paper leaf processing device 1 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 classifies the inserted banknote S into a counting target banknote to be counted and a rejected banknote not to be counted, and further counts the counting target banknotes by type. And accommodate by type. The paper leaf processing apparatus 1 displays the counting result in association with the storage destination. In the following description, "front" is the operator side, "rear" is the side opposite to the operator, "right" is the right side when viewed from the operator, and "left" is the left side when viewed from the operator.

The paper leaf processing device 1 is configured by combining a counting unit 2 and an integration unit 3. The counting unit 2 identifies and counts the bill S. The accumulation unit 3 classifies, accumulates, and stores the bills S identified and counted by the counting unit 2 and conveyed from the counting unit 2. The accumulation unit 3 is capable of accumulating a predetermined number of banknotes S sorted according to denomination.

In the paper leaf processing device 1, it is possible to connect a desired one or a plurality of integrated units 3 to one counting unit 2. Further, it is also possible to connect the accumulation unit 3 and the sealing unit that wraps a strap around a predetermined number of banknotes to seal the counting unit 2. Here, a case where one integrated unit 3 is connected to one counting unit 2 will be described as an example.

The counting unit 2 has a reception unit 11 and a reject unit 13. The reception unit 11 is provided at the lower part of the counting unit 2 on the right side surface side, and is always open to the outside of the counting unit 2, that is, the outside of the paper sheet processing device 1 over the right side surface and the front surface, although not shown. The reject unit 13 is provided in the upper part on the right side surface side like the reception unit 11, and is always open to the outside of the counting unit 2, that is, the outside of the paper leaf processing device 1 over the right side surface and the front surface. The reject unit 13 and the reception unit 11 are arranged vertically side by side so as to be aligned in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction.

The reception unit 11 receives the bill S inserted from the outside of the paper leaf processing device 1. In the reception unit 11, a plurality of banknotes S are accumulated in the vertical direction with their long sides (long sides) along the front and back and their short sides (short sides) along the left and right directions. , Will be set. The reception unit 11 separates the bills S in the accumulated state set in this way one by one from the bottom bill S, feeds them out, and takes them into the paper leaf processing device 1. The bill S paid out from the reception unit 11 moves along the extending direction of its short side.

Inside, the counting unit 2 has a counting unit internal transport configuration unit 21 that conveys the bill S that has been inserted into the reception unit 11 and has been delivered from the reception unit 11, and a bill S that is being conveyed by the counting unit internal transport configuration unit 21. It has an identification counting unit 22 that counts while identifying. The bill S transported by the transport configuration unit 21 in the counting unit moves along the extending direction of its short side.

The transfer component 21 in the counting unit has a left extension section 31, an upward extension section 32, a left extension section 33, and a branch extension section 34. The left extension unit 31 extends from the reception unit 11 toward the left side surface of the counting unit 2. The upward extending portion 32 extends upward from the end near the left side surface of the left extending portion 31. The left extending portion 33 extends from the upper end portion of the upward extending portion 32 toward the left side surface of the counting unit 2 and opens on the left side surface. The branch extension unit 34 branches from above the identification counting unit 22 of the upward extension unit 32, extends toward the right side surface of the counting unit 2, and is connected to the reject unit 13. The in-counting unit transport configuration unit 21 is provided with an identification counting unit 22 in an upward extending unit 32 along the vertical direction.

Inside the accumulation unit 3, there is provided an in-integration unit transport configuration unit 41 that is connected to the left extension portion 33 of the counting unit 2 and conveys the bill S delivered from the left extension portion 33. Therefore, the transfer component 41 in the integrated unit is connected to the transfer component 21 in the counting unit of the counting unit 2. The bill S transported by the transport configuration unit 41 in the integration unit also moves along the extending direction of its short side.

The transfer configuration unit 41 in the integrated unit has a connection transfer configuration unit 42 and a branch transport configuration unit 43. The connection transport configuration unit 42 opens at the upper part of the right side surface of the integration unit 3, extends horizontally and linearly toward the left side surface of the integration unit 3, and opens at the upper part of the left side surface. The branch transfer configuration unit 43 branches downward from the middle portion on the left side of the connection transfer configuration unit 42. The connected transfer component 42 conveys the banknote S conveyed by the counting unit 2 in the horizontal direction and in the direction away from the counting unit 2. The branch transfer configuration unit 43 branches from the connection transfer configuration unit 42 and conveys the bill S vertically downward, which is different from the horizontal direction.

The connected transport configuration unit 42 and the branch transport configuration unit 43 each have an individual drive motor, and can be driven independently of each other. A case where a plurality of integrated units 3 are connected to one counting unit 2 will be described. In this case, the plurality of integrated units 3 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction and connected. In addition, the connected transport components 42 of the adjacent integrated units 3 are connected to each other. With this configuration, in the paper leaf processing device 1, the transfer configuration unit 21 in the counting unit can transfer the banknotes S received by the reception unit 11 toward the plurality of accumulation units 3.

The branch transport component 43 of the integration unit 3 has a downward extension 44 and a plurality of specifically three lateral extension 45s. The downward extending portion 44 branches from the middle portion on the left side of the connecting and transporting constituent portion 42 and extends vertically downward. The plurality of lateral extension portions 45 extend from the lower end position of the lower extension portion 44 toward the right side surface of the integration unit 3 from the intermediate position between the one side extension portion 45 and the lower extension portion 44. Includes a plurality of lateral extension portions 45 that branch and extend toward the right side surface of the integration unit 3. At the branch position of the side extension portion 45 that branches from the intermediate position of the lower extension portion 44, a distribution portion 46 that distributes the bill S to the lower extension portion 44 and the side extension portion 45 is provided, respectively. ing. These distribution units 46 make it possible to distribute the bill S to any of the three lateral extension portions 45.

A collection unit 51 for accumulating and accommodating bills S is connected to each of the three lateral extension portions 45. In FIG. 1, as an example, one integration unit 3 is provided with three integration units 51. For example, one integration unit 3 may be provided with four integration units 51. Two integration units 51 may be provided in one integration unit 3. One integration unit 51 may be provided in one integration unit 3. Further, when connecting a plurality of integrated units 3 to the counting unit 2, the number of integrated units 51 provided in each of the plurality of integrated units 3 can be arbitrarily selected.

Each accumulation unit 51 stores the banknote S identified as the storage target among the banknotes S identified and counted by the identification counting unit 22. For example, when the accumulation unit 3 performs a process of accumulating a predetermined number of banknotes S sorted for each denomination, a denomination is set for each of the accumulation units 51. Each accumulation unit 51 accommodates the set bill S of the target denomination. The distribution unit 46 distributes the bill S to any of the accumulation units 51 so that the set target denomination is accommodated in the accumulation unit 51. That is, the paper leaf processing device 1 is inserted into the reception unit 11, and the banknotes S identified and counted by the identification counting unit 22 are sorted by the sorting unit 46 under predetermined conditions and accumulated in the collecting unit 51.

Each of the accumulating portions 51 has an opening (not shown) provided on the front surface of the accumulating unit 3, that is, the front surface of the paper leaf processing device 1. Each opening has a pocket shape that is always open to the outside of the accumulation unit 3, that is, the outside of the paper leaf processing device 1.

The plurality of accumulation portions 51 provided in one integration unit 3 are aligned in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction, and are arranged in the vertical direction (height direction) at predetermined intervals. The plurality of integrated units 51 are also aligned in the front-rear direction with respect to the receiving unit 11 and the rejecting unit 13 provided in the counting unit 2.

The transfer configuration unit 21 in the counting unit and the transport configuration unit 41 in the integration unit, which are connected to each other, constitute a transport unit 55 that transports the banknote S delivered from the reception unit 11 in the paper leaf processing device 1. .. When the bill S is identified by the identification counting unit 22 during the transportation, the transport unit 55 rejects the bill S based on the identification result of the identification counting unit 22 on the downstream side of the identification counting unit 22. It is selectively distributed to 13 and one of a plurality of accumulating units 51. The counting unit 2 is arranged on the upstream side in the transport direction of the bill S by the transport unit 55, and the accumulation unit 3 is arranged on the downstream side.

In the paper leaf processing device 1, the reject unit 13 and the plurality of collecting units 51 classify the banknotes S based on the identification result of the identification counting unit 22 and store them outside the paper leaf processing device 1 so that they can be taken out. The plurality of collecting portions 51 are configured so that the bill S can be pulled out from the opening (not shown) provided on the front surface of the paper leaf processing device 1 in front of the paper leaf processing device 1.

The reject unit 13 collects the banknotes S that are identified as rejected banknotes other than the banknotes to be counted by the identification counting unit 22 among the banknotes S taken into the paper leaf processing device 1 by the receiving unit 11. It is housed outside the processing device 1 so that it can be taken out. The reject unit 13 collects the banknotes S fed from the transfer configuration unit 21 in the counting unit from the bottom to the top in the payout order. When the bill S is fed from the branch extension portion 34 of the transfer configuration unit 21 in the counting unit to the reject portion 13, the long side is aligned in the front-rear direction and the short side is aligned in the left-right direction in the reject portion 13. Accumulated from bottom to top.

Among the banknotes S taken into the paper leaf processing device 1 by the reception unit 11, the plurality of collection units 51 collect the banknotes S identified by the identification counting unit 22 as the counting target banknotes and counted by type. It is allowed to be taken out and housed outside the paper leaf processing device 1. Each of the plurality of stacking units 51 collects the banknotes S fed from the transport configuration unit 41 in the stacking unit from the lower right to the upper left in the payout order.

An operation display unit 60 (notification unit, operation unit) and a voice output unit 61 (notification unit) are provided on the front surface of the counting unit 2 of the paper leaf processing device 1. The operation display unit 60 receives the operation input and displays the information on the screen. The audio output unit 61 outputs audio. The operation display unit 60 is a device that displays the operation screen of the paper leaf processing device 1 and the accumulation state of banknotes S in the accumulation unit 3. In the present embodiment, the operation display unit 60 includes a touch panel on which the operator can perform a touch operation. That is, the operator can perform various operations on the paper leaf processing device 1 by touching the operation buttons displayed on the operation display unit 60.

Inside the counting unit 2, a control unit 62 that controls the counting unit 2 and each part of the integrated unit 3 connected to the counting unit 2, and a plurality of threshold values (first threshold value, second threshold value, target light receiving) described later A storage unit 63 for storing a level), a control program, various parameters, and the like is provided. The control unit 62 controls the entire paper leaf processing device 1.

As described above, the reception unit 11 provided in the counting unit 2 is provided so as to always open to the right side and to the front on the right side of the paper leaf processing device 1. The reception unit 11 has a bottom portion 70, a wall portion 71, and a wall portion 72. The bottom 70 is arranged so as to be slightly inclined to the left with respect to the horizontal. The wall portion 71 extends upward from the left end position of the bottom portion 70 so as to be perpendicular to the bottom portion 70. The wall portion 72 extends vertically upward from the trailing edge of the bottom portion 70. The bottom 70 and the wall 71 extend in the front-rear direction. The wall portion 72 extends in the vertical direction and the left-right direction. The bottom portion 70, the wall portion 71, and the wall portion 72 are arranged perpendicular to each other. The bill S is set in the receiving portion 11 in an integrated state on the bottom portion 70 so that one long side is brought into contact with the wall portion 71 and one short side is brought into contact with the wall portion 72. The reception portion 11 has a building press 74 that is provided above the bottom portion 70 and moves up and down along the wall portion 71. The bill press 74 presses the bill S placed on the bottom 70 toward the bottom 70.

The reception unit 11 has a kick-out roller 75, a take-in roller 76, and a separation roller 77. The kicking roller 75 kicks out the lowest banknote S among the banknotes S set on the bottom 70 toward the left counting unit inner transport component 21. The take-in roller 76 takes in the banknote S kicked out by the kick-out roller 75 into the paper leaf processing device 1 and delivers it to the transfer configuration unit 21 in the counting unit. The separation roller 77 separates the banknotes S to be taken in by the take-in roller 76 one by one. The kicking roller 75, the taking-in roller 76, and the separating roller 77 form a taking-in unit 78 that separates the banknotes S set in the receiving unit 11 one by one and takes them into the paper leaf processing device 1. ..

The identification counting unit 22 detects the image of the bill S and compares the detected image with the reference data. The identification counting unit 22 identifies the type of reference data determined to match the detected image as the type of banknote S. The banknote S whose type is specified in this way is a banknote S without any identification abnormality. On the other hand, when there is no reference data determined to match the detected image, the identification counting unit 22 identifies the banknote S as the banknote S with an identification abnormality.

The reject portion 13 provided in the counting unit 2 has a bottom portion 80, a wall portion 81, and a wall portion 82. The bottom portion 80 is arranged so as to be slightly inclined to the left with respect to the horizontal. The wall portion 81 extends upward from the left end position of the bottom portion 80 so as to be substantially perpendicular to the bottom portion 80. The wall portion 82 extends vertically upward from the trailing edge of the bottom portion 80. The bottom portion 80 and the wall portion 81 extend in the front-rear direction. The wall portion 82 extends in the vertical direction and the left-right direction. The bottom portion 80 and the wall portion 82 are arranged perpendicular to each other.

An impeller 85 is provided on the upper part of the wall portion 81. The impeller 85 is provided in the vicinity of the terminal position of the branch extension portion 34 of the transfer configuration unit 21 in the counting unit, and the bill S conveyed by the branch extension portion 34 is fed out and accumulated on the bottom 80. The impeller 85 is provided with a large number of blades (not shown) at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction. The impeller 85 rotates together with the bill S carried by the branch extension portion 34 sandwiched between the blades. When the banknote S comes into contact with the wall portion 81 and comes out from between the blades, the impeller 85 pushes the banknote S with the blades toward the bottom 80 side, that is, downward.

The plurality of accumulation portions 51 provided in the integration unit 3 all have the same configuration, and have an opening (not shown), an accommodation bottom portion 90, an accommodation back wall portion 91, and a support wall portion 92. doing. The opening is opened in the front surface of the paper leaf processing device 1. The housing bottom 90 is inclined downward to the right with respect to the horizontal. The accommodation back wall 91 extends behind the accommodation bottom 90. The support wall portion 92 extends vertically from the right end position of the accommodation bottom portion 90 to the accommodation bottom portion 90 and extends upward. The accommodation bottom 90 and the support wall 92 extend in the front-rear direction. The accommodation back wall portion 91 extends in the vertical direction and the left-right direction. The accommodation bottom 90, the accommodation back wall 91, and the support wall 92 are arranged perpendicular to each other.

At the terminal position of each lateral extension portion 45 of the branch transport configuration portion 43, an impeller 95 for paying out the bill S is provided in the corresponding accumulation portion 51. The impeller 95 is provided on the side opposite to the support wall portion 92 of the accommodation bottom portion 90 in the accumulation portion 51, that is, on the left side. The impeller 95 is provided at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction, and has a large number of blades (not shown) extending on the same side in the circumferential direction. The impeller 95 rotates so that the portion facing the support wall portion 92 moves from top to bottom. The blade has a fixed end located on the lower side and a free end located on the upper side in a state of facing the support wall portion 92.

The impeller 95 is a corresponding one of the downward extension portion 44 of the branch transport configuration portion 43 and the three lateral extension portions 45, and the banknote S transported from the left side to the right side is placed between the blades. It sandwiches and rotates with the bill S. When the bill S comes into contact with the upper surface of the storage bottom 90 and comes out from between the blades, the impeller 95 pushes the bill S toward the support wall portion 92 with the blades. At this time, the bill S is supported by the storage bottom 90 in a state where the short side is along the vertical direction and the long side of the lower end thereof is in contact with the upper surface of the storage bottom 90, and the bill S is guided and supported by the top surface. Move to the wall 92 side. As a result, the bill S is supported by the support wall portion 92 with one surface in the thickness direction overlapping the support wall portion 92. Similarly, the bill S to be paid out is supported by the storage bottom 90 in a state where the short side is along the vertical direction and the long side of the lower end thereof is in contact with the top surface of the storage bottom 90, and the upper surface thereof is supported. Guided by, it moves to the support wall portion 92 side. As a result, the banknote S is supported by the support wall portion 92 in a state where the surface on one side in the thickness direction overlaps with the surface on the other side in the thickness direction of the banknote S already supported by the support wall portion 92. .. In this way, the banknotes S are sequentially accumulated in the thickness direction and supported by the support wall portion 92.

Each of the plurality of collecting units 51 is provided with an optical sensor 101 for detecting the presence / absence of the bill S, that is, the residual of the bill S. In other words, an optical sensor 101 is arranged for each integrated unit 51. The optical sensor 101 includes a light emitting unit 102 that irradiates light, and a light receiving unit 103 that receives light emitted from the light emitting unit 102 and outputs a signal corresponding to the light receiving level (light receiving amount). .. The light receiving unit 103 is provided on the axis of the optical axis of the light emitted from the light emitting unit 102 constituting the same optical sensor 101. The light receiving unit 103 is provided so as to be able to receive the light emitted from the light emitting unit 102. In the present embodiment, the output signal output by the light receiving unit 103 according to the light receiving level is an analog signal represented by a voltage value or a current value.

In the optical sensor 101, as described above, the light receiving unit 103 is arranged in front of the irradiation direction of the light emitted by the light emitting unit 102. The irradiation direction of the light emitted by the light emitting unit 102, in other words, the direction connecting the light emitting unit 102 and the light receiving unit 103, is the accumulation direction of the banknotes S accumulated in the accumulation unit 51, in other words, the banknotes accumulated in the accumulation unit 51. The light emitting unit 102 and the light receiving unit 103 are arranged along the thickness direction of S. Here, the light emitting portion 102 is provided in the vicinity of the impeller 95, and the light receiving portion 103 is provided in the support wall portion 92. On the contrary, the light receiving portion 103 may be provided in the vicinity of the impeller 95, and the light emitting portion 102 may be provided in the support wall portion 92. The optical sensor 101 is a light transmission type optical sensor that receives light emitted by the light emitting unit 102 and transmitted through the bill S by the light receiving unit 103. The light emitting unit 102 irradiates the light receiving unit 103 with light having a predetermined wavelength. In the present embodiment, the light emitting unit 102 irradiates, for example, infrared rays.

The optical sensor 101, together with the operation display unit 60, the voice output unit 61, the control unit 62, and the storage unit 63, constitutes a paper leaf detection device 105 that detects the presence or absence of banknotes S in the accumulation unit 51.

The banknote S to be detected, which is detected by the paper leaf detection device 105 for the presence or absence, includes a so-called polymer banknote S (p) as schematically shown in FIG. The polymer banknote S (p) is formed of a synthetic resin material and has a non-transparent region A1 and a transparent region A2 to which a hologram or the like is provided as an anti-counterfeiting measure. The paper leaf detection device 105 is suitable for detecting the presence or absence of such a polymer banknote S (p). The polymer banknote S (p) is provided with a transparent region A2 in a range surrounded by the non-transparent region A1, in other words, a part of the inside of the non-transparent region A1. For example, a British pound banknote can be mentioned as such a polymer banknote S (p).

As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 62 includes an estimation unit 111, a light amount adjusting unit 112, and a threshold value setting unit 113. The estimation unit 111 estimates the presence / absence (residual) of the polymer banknote S (p) in the integration unit 51 of the integration unit 3. The light amount adjusting unit 112 adjusts the amount of light emitted by the light emitting unit 102 of the optical sensor 101. The threshold value setting unit 113 sets various threshold values.

The estimation unit 111 estimates whether or not the polymer banknote S (p) remains in each accumulation unit 51. When the operation display unit 60 and the voice output unit 61 notify the estimation unit 111 of information indicating the possibility that the polymer banknote S (p) exists, and then a confirmation operation for the notification is input to the operation display unit 60. It is estimated that there is no polymer banknote S (p) in.

The estimation unit 111 estimates that there is no polymer banknote S (p) when the confirmation operation is input to the operation display unit 60. First, the operation display unit 60 and the voice output unit 61 notify the information indicating that the polymer banknote S (p) may exist in the accumulation unit 51. After that, the operation display unit 60 receives an input of a confirmation operation for the notification from the operator. In this case, it is highly possible that the polymer banknote S (p) was taken out from the accumulating unit 51 by the operator. Therefore, the estimation unit 111 estimates that the accumulation unit 51 does not have the polymer banknote S (p).

The estimation unit 111 may estimate whether or not the polymer banknote S (p) is present in the integration unit 51 from the detection result of the optical sensor 101. In that case, the estimation unit 111 is based on, for example, the first light receiving level at the light receiving unit 103 at the first time and the second light receiving level at the light receiving unit 103 at the second time after the first time. , Estimate the change in the presence or absence of the polymer banknote S (p). Here, the changes in the presence or absence of the polymer banknote S (p) are the change from the state without the polymer banknote S (p) to the state with the polymer banknote S (p) and the change from the state with the polymer banknote S (p) to the polymer. Includes both changes to the absence of banknotes S (p). Further, the change in the presence or absence of the polymer banknote S (p) means that there is a change from the state without the polymer banknote S (p) to the state with the polymer banknote S (p), and the polymer banknote S (p) has a change. It means both that there is a change from one state to one without the polymer banknote S (p).

That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the estimation unit 111 has a first light receiving level at the light receiving unit 103 at the first time and a second light receiving level at the light receiving unit 103 at the second time after the first time. Calculate the difference between. When the difference between the first light receiving level and the second light receiving level is less than a predetermined range, the estimation unit 111 changes the presence or absence of the polymer banknote S (p) in the integrated unit 51 provided with the optical sensor 101. Judge that there is no. When the difference between the first light receiving level and the second light receiving level is equal to or greater than a predetermined range, the estimation unit 111 changes the presence or absence of the polymer banknote S (p) in the integrated unit 51 provided with the optical sensor 101. Judge that there is. Here, at the first time and the second time, the light emitting unit 102 of the optical sensor 101 emits light in a constant light emitting state. Therefore, the difference between the first light receiving level and the second light receiving level in the light receiving unit 103 is not affected by the light emitting state of the light emitting unit 102.

In the example of FIG. 4, the first light receiving level in the light receiving unit 103 at the first time is a value corresponding to the OFF state (a state in which the polymer banknote S (p) exists or may exist in the integrated unit 51). Is. Further, the second light receiving level at the second time is a value corresponding to the ON state (the state in which the polymer banknote S (p) does not exist in the integrated portion 51). As described above, when the first light receiving level is a value corresponding to the OFF state and the second light receiving level is a value corresponding to the ON state, the difference between the first light receiving level and the second light receiving level is within a predetermined range. .. As a result, the estimation unit 111 estimates that the state has changed from the state in which the polymer banknote S (p) is present in the accumulation unit 51 to the state in which the polymer banknote S (p) is not present in the accumulation unit 51. As a result, the estimation unit 111 estimates that the polymer banknote S (p) is not in the accumulation unit 51.

In the light amount adjusting unit 112 shown in FIG. 3, when it is estimated by the estimation unit 111 that the polymer banknote S (p) does not exist in the integrated unit 51, the light receiving level in the light receiving unit 103 provided in the integrated unit 51 is predetermined. The amount of light emitted from the light emitting unit 102 provided in the integrated unit 51 is adjusted so as to reach the target light receiving level.

That is, when the estimation unit 111 estimates that the polymer banknote S (p) does not remain in the integration unit 51, the light intensity adjusting unit 112 currently receives the light receiving level at the light receiving unit 103 provided in the integration unit 51. Is adjusted to the amount of light emitted from the light emitting unit 102 provided in the integrated unit 51 so that is a predetermined target light receiving level.

The storage unit 63 stores a plurality of threshold values for detecting the polymer banknote S (p) and a predetermined target light receiving level. In the present embodiment, the storage unit 63 has a first threshold storage area 121, a target light receiving level storage area 122, and a second threshold storage area 123. The first threshold storage area 121 stores the first threshold value for detecting the non-transparent area A1 of the polymer banknote S (p). The target light receiving level storage area 122 stores the target light receiving level set as the target value of the light receiving level in the light receiving unit 103 when the polymer banknote S (p) does not exist in the accumulating unit 51. The second threshold storage area 123 stores the second threshold value set to a value equal to or higher than the first threshold value and lower than the target light receiving level. The first threshold value is a threshold value used for determining whether or not there is a banknote S including the polymer banknote S (p) in the accumulating unit 51, and the non-transparent region A1 of the polymer banknote S (p) is set to a detectable value. Set. The second threshold value is a threshold value used for determining whether or not the polymer banknote S (p) is present in the accumulating unit 51, and is set to a value at which the transparent region A2 of the polymer banknote S (p) can be detected.

In the present embodiment, the first threshold value and the second threshold value are preset at the time of shipment from the factory by the threshold value setting unit 113 of the control unit 62 after the actual machine data experiment is performed in advance. Further, the target light receiving level is such that the amount of light emitted from the light emitting unit 102 is gradually increased until the light receiving level of the light received by the light receiving unit 103 reaches a predetermined target value in a state where the integrated unit 51 does not have the bill S. By doing so, it is set in advance.

<Hardware configuration of paper leaf detection device 105>
Next, the hardware configuration of the paper leaf detection device 105 and the method of detecting the polymer banknote S (p) by the paper leaf detection device 105 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 5, the paper leaf detection device 105 includes the operation display unit 60, the voice output unit 61, the control unit 62, the storage unit 63, the optical sensor 101, and the A / D converter 131 as described above. The A / D converter 131 converts the output signal (analog signal) of the light receiving unit 103 of the optical sensor 101 into a digital signal and outputs it to the control unit 62.

In the paper leaf detection device 105, when the light receiving unit 103 receives the light emitted from the light emitting unit 102 of the optical sensor 101, the light receiving unit 103 outputs an output signal (analog signal) according to the light receiving level. The analog signal output from the light receiving unit 103 is input to the A / D converter 131 and converted into a digital signal. In the present embodiment, the A / D converter 131 is an 8-bit converter, and converts an analog signal output from the light receiving unit 103 into a digital signal with a resolution of 256 steps according to the magnitude of the analog signal. .. The digital signal output from the A / D converter 131 is input to the control unit 62. In addition to the digital signal after A / D conversion, the analog signal output from the light receiving unit 103 is also input to the control unit 62 as it is.

A case where the polymer banknote S (p) is provided in the accumulation unit 51 of the integration unit 3 and the transparent region A2 of the polymer banknote S (p) is located on the optical path of the light L emitted from the light emitting unit 102 will be described. In this case, as schematically shown in FIG. 5, most of the light L emitted from the light emitting unit 102 passes through the transparent region A2 and is received by the light receiving unit 103. A part of the light L emitted from the light emitting unit 102 is absorbed or reflected in the transparent region A2 and is not received by the light receiving unit 103. Therefore, the light receiving level of the light L received by the light receiving unit 103 is lower than that in the case where the integrated unit 51 does not have the polymer banknote S (p).

Next, there is a polymer banknote S (p) in the accumulation unit 51 of the integration unit 3, and as schematically shown in FIG. 6, the non-transparent region A1 of the polymer banknote S (p) in the integration unit 51 is a light emitting unit. A case where the light L emitted from the 102 is located on the optical path will be described. In this case, the light L emitted from the light emitting unit 102 is blocked by the non-transparent region A1 of the polymer banknote S (p) and hardly received by the light receiving unit 103.

When there is no polymer banknote S (p) in the accumulating unit 51, there is nothing to block the light L emitted from the light emitting unit 102. Therefore, the light L is received by the light receiving unit 103 in the state at the time of irradiation.

The control unit 62 shown in FIG. 5 is a polymer banknote in the integration unit 51 of the integration unit 3 based on the output signal from the light receiving unit 103 after A / D conversion and a predetermined threshold value stored in the storage unit 63. The presence or absence of S (p) is determined. The output signal (including the digital signal after A / D conversion) output from the light receiving unit 103 is output according to the light receiving level of the light received by the light receiving unit 103. Therefore, unless otherwise specified, the light is received. Described as a level.

<Threshold setting method>
Next, the method of setting the threshold value for detecting the polymer banknote S (p) by the control unit 62 will be described while comparing with the method of setting the threshold value according to the related technique.

Part (A) of FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a method of setting a threshold value in a paper leaf detection device according to a related technique. Part (B) of FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a method of setting a threshold value in the paper leaf detection device 105 according to the present embodiment.

As shown in the portion (A) of FIG. 7, in the paper leaf detection device according to the related technology, a threshold value is set at a light receiving level capable of detecting the non-transparent region of the banknote S including the polymer banknote S (p). .. Then, when the light receiving level of the light received by the light receiving unit is less than this threshold value, it is determined that the banknote S including the polymer banknote S (p) exists in the integrated unit (that is, there is a residue). On the other hand, when the light receiving level of the light received by the light receiving unit is equal to or higher than this threshold value, it is determined that the banknote S including the polymer banknote S (p) does not exist in the integrated unit (that is, there is no residue).

As described above, the paper leaf detection device according to the related technology has one threshold value based on the light receiving level of the light receiving portion when the light emitted from the light emitting portion is blocked by the non-transparent region of the bill S. By setting, the presence or absence of the bill S in the stacking portion of the stacking unit is detected.

However, as described above, when a plurality of polymer banknotes S (p) are accumulated in the accumulation unit 51 in a state where the transparent region A2 is located on the optical path of the light L emitted from the light emitting unit 102, or when light In a state where the transparent region A2 is located on the optical path of L, only one polymer banknote S (p) may be housed in the accumulating portion 51. In such a case, most of the light L passes through the transparent region A2 of the polymer banknote S (p) and is received by the light receiving unit 103. As a result, the light receiving level of the light L received by the light receiving unit 103 becomes equal to or higher than the set threshold value, and although the polymer banknote S (p) exists in the accumulating unit 51, the polymer banknote S (p) There is a risk of making an erroneous judgment that does not exist.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in the part (B) of FIG. 7, the first threshold value, the target light receiving level (target value), and the second threshold value are set. The first threshold value is a threshold value set with reference to the light receiving level of the light L in the light receiving unit 103 when the light L emitted from the light emitting unit 102 is blocked by the non-transparent region A1 of the polymer banknote S (p). .. The target light receiving level is a light receiving level preset as a target value of the light receiving level of the light L in the light receiving unit 103 when there is no bill S including the polymer banknote S (p) in the accumulating unit 51. (That is, the light receiving level is a target value of the light receiving level of the light L in the light receiving unit 103 when the banknote S including the polymer banknote S (p) does not exist in the integrated unit 51). The second threshold value is a threshold value set to a value equal to or more than the first threshold value and less than the target light receiving level (or a value larger than the first threshold value and smaller than the target light receiving level).

Here, it is preferable that the second threshold value is set so as to be equal to or higher than the first threshold value and in the range of 85% to 95% of the target light receiving level. That is, by setting the second threshold value to be within this range, the second threshold value receives light when there is a non-transparent region A1 of the polymer banknote S (p) between the light emitting unit 102 and the light receiving unit 103. Target of light L received by the light receiving unit 103 when the light receiving level is equal to or higher than the light receiving level of the light received by the light receiving unit 103 and there is no banknote S including the polymer banknote S (p) between the light emitting unit 102 and the light receiving unit 103. The range is smaller than the light receiving level.

By setting the second threshold value in this way, the control unit 62 has high transparency of light L in the transparent region A2 of the polymer banknote S (p), for example, there is only one polymer banknote S (p). Even in this case, the light receiving level of the light L at the light receiving unit 103 is gray between the first threshold and the second threshold, indicating that the polymer banknote S (p) is or may be present. It can be appropriately determined that it is within the determination area.

<Banknote detection method>
Next, a method of detecting the bill S in the paper leaf detection device 105 will be described.
The above-mentioned first threshold value, second threshold value, and target light receiving level are set in advance by an actual data experiment for each paper leaf processing device 1 provided with the paper leaf detection device 105, and paper leaf detection is performed at the time of shipment from the factory. It is stored in the storage unit 63 of the device 105. Then, a reset operation or a counting operation is performed in the paper sheet processing device 1, and all the polymer banknotes S (p) existing in the reception unit 11 and the transport unit 55 are all the accumulation units of the reject unit 13 and the accumulation unit 3. After accumulating in any of 51, the following processing is performed.

The control unit 62 controls each of the optical sensors 101 provided in all the integration units 51 according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 8, first, in step S101, the control unit 62 (estimation unit 11, the same applies hereinafter) causes the light emitting unit 102 of the optical sensor 101 to emit light at a set predetermined output, and the optical sensor 101 It is determined whether or not the light receiving level of the light L in the light receiving unit 103 is less than the first threshold value (see the portion (B) of FIG. 7) for detecting the non-transparent region A1 of the polymer banknote S (p).

When the control unit 62 determines that the light receiving level of the light L in the light receiving unit 103 is less than the first threshold value (step S101: YES), the polymer banknote S (p) is placed in the integrated unit 51 provided with the light receiving unit 103. ) Is present, that is, it is determined that there is a residue (step S108). In this case, the operation display unit 60 and the voice output unit 61 notify the information instructing the extraction of the banknote S remaining in the accumulation unit 51, and end the process (step S109). When the control unit 62 detects that the bill S has been removed from the integrated unit 51 based on the detection result of the optical sensor 101, the control unit 62 stops the notification by the operation display unit 60 and the voice output unit 61.

When the control unit 62 determines in step S101 that the light receiving level at the light receiving unit 103 is not less than the first threshold value (step S101: NO), the control unit 62 proceeds to the process of step S102.

In step S102, the control unit 62 determines whether or not the light receiving level of the light L in the light receiving unit 103 is equal to or higher than the second threshold value for detecting the transparent region A2 of the polymer banknote S (p). Step S102). When the control unit 62 determines that the light receiving level of the light L in the light receiving unit 103 is equal to or higher than the second threshold value (step S102: YES), the polymer banknote S (in the integrated unit 51 provided with the light receiving unit 103) It is determined that there is no p), and the process ends (step S110).

When the control unit 62 determines in step S102 that the light receiving level at the light receiving unit 103 is not equal to or higher than the second threshold value (step S102: NO), the control unit 62 proceeds to the process of step S103.

The control unit 62 estimates in step S103 that the polymer banknote S (p) does not remain in the integrated unit 51 provided with the light receiving unit 103.

Here, the estimation process that the polymer banknote S (p) by the control unit 62 does not remain in the accumulation unit 51 will be described below.

In the control unit 62, the light receiving level of the light L in the light receiving unit 103 is equal to or higher than the first threshold value stored in the storage unit 63 (step S101: NO), and the second threshold value stored in the storage unit 63. If it is less than (step S102: NO), it is determined that the polymer banknote S (b) may remain in the integrated portion 51 provided with the light receiving portion 103. In this case, as shown in FIG. 9, in step S201, the operation display unit 60 and the voice output unit 61 notify the operator to instruct the operator to remove the banknotes from the collecting unit 51. In other words, the operation display unit 60 and the voice output unit 61 provide information indicating the possibility that the bill S may exist when the light receiving level of the light L at the light receiving unit 103 is equal to or higher than the first threshold value and lower than the second threshold value. Notify.

Then, the estimation unit 111 of the control unit 62 determines in step S202 whether or not the operation display unit 60 has received an input operation by the operator to the effect that the extraction of the bill S has been confirmed for the accumulation unit 51. When the estimation unit 111 determines that the operation display unit 60 has accepted the input operation indicating that the collection unit 51 has confirmed the extraction of the banknote S (step S202: YES), the operator causes the banknote S to be removed from the collection unit 51. It is determined that the banknotes have been extracted, and it is estimated that the polymer banknotes S (p) do not remain in the integrated portion 51 in step S203. On the other hand, when the estimation unit 111 determines in step S202 that the operation display unit 60 has not accepted the input operation indicating that the extraction of the bill S with respect to the accumulation unit 51 has been confirmed (step S202: NO), the operation display unit 111. Step S202 is repeated and waits until it is determined that 60 has accepted the confirmation input operation.

In the present embodiment, the control unit 62 indicates that the polymer banknote S (p) may remain in the accumulation unit 51 of the paper leaf processing device 1, as shown in FIG. The operation display unit 60 is notified while identifying the integrated unit 51 in which p) may remain. In the example of FIG. 10, the operation display unit 60 displays the caution display 141 of “Fitness 1” and the instruction display 142 of “Remove notes” instructing the removal of banknotes. In addition to these, it is possible to visually display which of the accumulation units 51 of the accumulation unit 3 the polymer banknote S (p) remains. That is, the illustration display 146 of the integration unit 3 including the illustration display 145 of all the integration units 51 is displayed. Further, among the illustration display 145 of all the accumulation parts 51, the illustration display 145 of the accumulation part 51 in which the polymer banknote S (p) remains or may remain (indicated in FIG. 10, is shaded). , The illustration display 145 (displayed in white in FIG. 10) of the integrated portion 51 in which the polymer banknote S (p) does not remain is displayed differently so that it can be visually recognized.

Further, the control unit 62 displays the confirmation button 148 of “ENT (ENTER)” on the operation display unit 60, and when the operation of pressing the confirmation button 148 from the operator is received, the estimation unit 111 is moved from the integration unit 51. It is determined that the polymer banknote S (p) has been extracted by the operator, and it is estimated that there is no residue (step S203).

Then, in steps S101 and S102 described above, the light receiving level at the light receiving unit 103 of the optical sensor 101 is equal to or higher than the first threshold value and less than the second threshold value (first threshold value ≤ light receiving level <second threshold value). After the determination, when the estimation unit 111 estimates that the polymer banknote S (p) does not remain in the accumulation unit 51 (step S103), in step S104, the light amount adjusting unit 112 is provided in the integration unit 51. An adjustment process is performed to adjust the amount of light L emitted from the light emitting unit 102 provided in the integrated unit 51 so that the light receiving level in the light receiving unit 103 of the optical sensor 101 becomes a preset target light receiving level. Do. That is, when the light receiving level in the light receiving unit 103 is equal to or higher than the first threshold value and lower than the second threshold value, the light amount adjusting unit 112 estimates that there is no polymer banknote S (p) by the estimating unit 111. The amount of light emitted from the light emitting unit 102 is adjusted so that the light receiving level at 103 becomes the target light receiving level. The light amount adjusting unit 112 adjusts, for example, so as to gradually increase the amount of light emitted from the light emitting unit 102.

Next, the processing after the control unit 62 adjusts the amount of light L emitted from the light emitting unit 102 of the optical sensor 101 so that the light receiving level of the light receiving unit 103 of the optical sensor 101 becomes the target light receiving level will be described. To do. After the above adjustment, the control unit 62 determines in step S105 whether or not the light receiving level of the optical sensor 101 at the light receiving unit 103 is less than the second threshold value (step S105). When the control unit 62 determines that the light receiving level in the light receiving unit 103 is not less than the second threshold value (step S105: NO), the optical sensor 101 can appropriately determine that there is no polymer banknote S (p). Is determined. In this case, the control unit 62 sets the drive state of the light emitting unit 102 after this adjustment as the drive state of the light emitting unit 102, and after adjusting the information regarding the drive state of the light emitting unit 102 stored in the storage unit 63. Updates to the information in and ends the process. As a result, after that, in the optical sensor 101, the amount of light L emitted by the light emitting unit 102 is set as the amount of light after this adjustment.

On the other hand, when the control unit 62 determines that the light receiving level of the optical sensor 101 in the light receiving unit 103 is less than the second threshold value after the above adjustment, the control unit 62 proceeds to the process of step S106.

In step S106, the control unit 62 executes the adjustment process of adjusting the amount of light L emitted from the light emitting unit 102 of the optical sensor 101 by the light amount adjusting unit 112 so as to reach the target light receiving level a predetermined number of times n. (For example, n = 3) or more is determined. When the control unit 62 determines that the number of executions is n or more, which is a preset number of times (step S106: YES), the control unit 62 performs the process of step S107. On the other hand, the control unit 62 determines that the number of executions of the adjustment process for adjusting the amount of light L emitted from the light emitting unit 102 of the optical sensor 101 so as to reach the target light receiving level is less than a preset predetermined number of times n. If it is determined (step S106: NO), there is a possibility that the polymer banknote S (p) has not been taken out from the integrated portion 51 provided with the optical sensor 101. Therefore, the control unit 62 returns to step S103 and repeats the processes of steps S103 to S105.

In step S107, the control unit 62 changes the method of detecting the polymer banknote S (p) by the optical sensor 101 to a method using a threshold value according to a related technique (the method shown in the part (A) of FIG. 7) and processes it. To finish.

In the above embodiment, in step S103, the estimation unit 111 receives an input operation for confirmation of extraction to the operation display unit 60 by the operator after the operation display unit 60 and the voice output unit 61 notify the extraction of the banknote S. The case where it is estimated that there is no residual polymer banknote S (p) in the accumulating portion 51 has been described as an example based on the above, but the method for estimating that there is no residual polymer banknote S (p) is limited to this. is not.

For example, the estimation unit 111 receives the polymer banknote S (p) when a certain period of time has elapsed after the operation display unit 60 and the audio output unit 61 notify the information indicating the possibility that the polymer banknote S (p) exists. It may be estimated that there is none. That is, when a predetermined time elapses after the operation display unit 60 and the audio output unit 61 notify the estimation unit 111 of information indicating that the polymer banknote S (p) may exist in the accumulation unit 51, the operator It is highly probable that the polymer banknote S (p) was taken out from the accumulating portion 51. Therefore, the estimation unit 111 estimates that the accumulation unit 51 does not have the polymer banknote S (p). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, when the operation display unit 60 and the voice output unit 61 notify the extraction of the banknote S (step S201) and then a predetermined time elapses (step S301: YES), the operator It may be determined that there is a high possibility that the polymer banknote S (p) has been extracted, and it is estimated that there is no residue of the polymer banknote S (p) in the accumulating portion 51 (step S203).

Further, in the above-described embodiment, when the light receiving unit 103 of the optical sensor 101 receives the light L emitted from the light emitting unit 102, the output signal (for example, + 5V ON signal) corresponding to the light receiving level of the received light L ) Is output, and the case where the light L emitted from the light emitting unit 102 is not received and the case where the output signal is not output (or the OFF signal of 0 V is output) has been described as an example. However, the output example of the light receiving unit 103 is described. It is not limited to this. For example, when the light receiving unit 103 of the optical sensor 101 receives the light emitted from the light emitting unit 102, the light receiving unit 103 does not output an output signal (or outputs a 0V OFF signal) and emits the light emitted from the light emitting unit 102. If no light is received, an output signal (for example, a + 5V ON signal) corresponding to the light reception level may be output.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the output signal output from the light receiving unit 103 of the optical sensor 101 is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 131 has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to such a case. .. For example, an IC (Integrated Circuit) in which the light receiving unit 103 of the optical sensor 101 and the A / D converter 131 are contained in the same package may be used. Further, the polymer banknote S (p) may be detected by using the analog signal output from the light receiving unit 103 of the optical sensor 101 and the above-mentioned threshold value.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the light emitting unit 102 irradiates infrared rays has been described as an example, but the light emitting unit 102 may irradiate a wavelength other than infrared rays.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the light transmission type optical sensor 101 is used has been illustrated and described, but the present invention is not limited to this case. For example, a light-reflecting optical sensor that receives the reflected light of the banknotes of the light emitted from the light emitting unit by the light receiving unit may be used.

It is preferable that the target light receiving level described above can be changed by changing the operation display unit 60. For example, the target light receiving level is preferably changed between a bill having the transparent region A2 and a bill not having the transparent region A2. As shown in FIG. 12, the light receiving level of the light receiving unit 103 when detecting the banknote having no transparent region is as shown by the curved line LA (dashed line in FIG. 12). When the target light receiving level is set by applying this light receiving level curve LA to the paper sheet detection device 105 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the inclination of the region (gray determination region) between the first threshold and the second threshold is set. Therefore, even a slight change in the light receiving level may deviate from the gray determination region, and it is not possible to properly perform the gray determination that there may be bills.

Therefore, in the paper leaf detection device 105 according to the present embodiment, when detecting a bill having a transparent region A2, the light receiving unit is operated to detect the bill having the transparent region A2 to the operation display unit 60. The target light receiving level is set by applying the curve LB (solid line in FIG. 12) of the light receiving level at 103. The light receiving level curve LB according to the present embodiment has a lower target light receiving level than the light receiving level curve LA when it does not have a transparent region, and accordingly, a region between the first threshold value and the second threshold value ( The slope of the gray judgment area) is made small. Therefore, even if the light receiving level changes slightly, the gray determination region is not deviated, and the gray determination that there may be bills can be appropriately performed.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the banknote S is detected as paper sheets has been described as an example, but it can also be applied to the case of detecting paper sheets such as securities other than banknotes and gold coins. It is suitable for application to paper sheets having a non-transparent area and a transparent area.

As described above, in the embodiment, (1) the paper leaf detection device 105 for detecting the presence or absence of paper notes (banknote S), which is irradiated from the light emitting unit 102 that irradiates light and the light emitting unit 102. An optical sensor 101 having a light receiving unit 103 that receives light and outputs a signal corresponding to the light receiving level, a first threshold value used for determining whether or not the bill S is present, and the bill S are present. A storage unit that stores a target light receiving level set as a target value of the light receiving level in the light receiving unit 103 when not, and a second threshold value set to a value equal to or higher than the first threshold value and lower than the target light receiving level. When the light receiving level at the light receiving unit 103 is equal to or higher than the first threshold value and lower than the second threshold value, the bill S is generated by the estimation unit 111. It is configured to include a light amount adjusting unit 112 that adjusts the amount of light emitted from the light emitting unit 102 so that the light receiving level at the light receiving unit 103 becomes the target light receiving level.

Conventionally, a paper leaf detection device that detects the presence or absence of paper leaves by an optical sensor is known. In this paper leaf detection device, the light receiving level of the light emitted from the light emitting part of the optical sensor differs depending on the presence or absence of the paper leaf, and the paper leaf is measured by measuring the light receiving level at the light receiving part. Detect the presence or absence of the kind. Specifically, when paper sheets are present between the light emitting part and the light receiving part of the optical sensor, the light emitted from the light emitting part of the optical sensor is blocked by the paper sheets, so that the light in the light receiving part is blocked. The light receiving level is below a predetermined threshold. On the other hand, when there are no paper sheets between the light emitting part and the light receiving part of the optical sensor, the light emitted from the light emitting part of the optical sensor is not blocked by the paper sheets, so that the light receiving level of the light receiving part is Is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold. As a result, the paper leaf detection device can detect the presence or absence of paper leaves based on the light receiving level at the light receiving unit.

Here, when the paper leaves having different light transmission states and reflection states depending on the location, for example, the paper notes are polymer banknotes S (p) having a non-transparent region A1 and a transparent region A2, the polymer banknote S (p). ) Is located on the optical path of the light emitted from the light emitting unit 102 of the optical sensor 101, the light receiving level of the light received by the light receiving unit 103 becomes larger than a predetermined threshold value, and the polymer banknote There is a possibility of erroneously determining that S (p) is present but not present.

Therefore, in the paper sheet detection device 105 according to the present embodiment, the banknote S that is equal to or higher than the first threshold value for detecting the non-transparent region A1 of the polymer banknote S (p) and contains the polymer banknote S (p) is The second threshold value is set to a value less than the target light receiving level set as the target value of the light receiving level of the light in the light receiving unit 103 when it does not exist.

As a result, in the paper leaf detection device 105, the transparent region A2 of the polymer banknote S (b) is located on the optical path of the light emitted from the light emitting unit 102, so that the light receiving level of the light receiving unit 103 becomes the first. Even if it is 1 threshold value or more, if it is less than the second threshold value set to a value lower than the target light receiving level, it can be determined that the polymer banknote S (p) exists or may exist. ..

Further, the paper leaf detection device 105 has an estimation unit 111 for estimating the presence or absence of banknotes S, and the light reception level in the light receiving unit 103 is equal to or higher than the first threshold value and lower than the second threshold value, and then the estimation unit 111 uses the estimation unit 111. When it is estimated that there is no bill S, the amount of light emitted from the light emitting unit 102 is adjusted so that the light receiving level at the light receiving unit 103 becomes the target light receiving level when the bill S does not exist. Therefore, since the light receiving level in the light receiving unit 103 when there is no bill S is the target light receiving level, even if the transparent region A2 of the bill S is located on the optical path of the light emitted from the light emitting unit 102, the paper sheets The detection device 105 can appropriately determine that the polymer banknote S (p) is present.

That is, in order to detect the transparent region A2, it is necessary to set the second threshold value to a value close to the light receiving level of the light received by the light receiving unit 103 in the absence of the bill S. Due to dirt on the light emitting unit 102 and deterioration of performance over time, the light receiving level of the light receiving unit 103 in the absence of the bill S tends to be less than the set second threshold value. In this case, even if there is no banknote S, the light receiving level of the light in the light receiving unit 103 is less than the second threshold value, and it is determined that the polymer banknote S (p) is present. On the other hand, the paper leaf detection device 105 adjusts the light receiving level of the light received by the light receiving unit 103 to be the target light receiving level in the absence of the bill S, thus preventing such a situation. be able to. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately determine that the polymer banknote S (p) is present.

(2) A notification unit (operation display unit 60 and) that notifies information indicating the possibility that the bill S may exist when the light reception level of the light reception unit 103 is equal to or higher than the first threshold value and lower than the second threshold value. The estimation unit 111 has a voice output unit 61), and after the operation display unit 60 and the voice output unit 61 notify the information indicating the possibility that the bill S exists, the confirmation operation for the notification is input. If the bill S is used, it is estimated that the bill S does not exist.

With this configuration, when the operation display unit 60 and the voice output unit 61 notify the information indicating the possibility that the bill S exists, the estimation unit 111 receives a confirmation operation for the notification by the operator. It is highly probable that the banknote S has been removed. Therefore, the estimation unit 111 can appropriately estimate that there is no bill S.

(3) A notification unit (operation display unit 60) that notifies information indicating the possibility that the bill S may exist when the light reception level of the light reception unit 103 is equal to or higher than the first threshold value and lower than the second threshold value. And the voice output unit 61), and the estimation unit 111 has a certain time after the operation display unit 60 and the voice output unit 61 notify the information indicating the possibility that the bill S may exist. It is presumed that there is no bill S.

With this configuration, the estimation unit 111 removes the banknote S by the operator when a certain period of time has elapsed after the operation display unit 60 and the voice output unit 61 notify the information indicating the possibility that the banknote S exists. It is highly probable that it was done. Therefore, the estimation unit 111 can appropriately estimate that there is no bill S.

(4) The estimation unit 111 is based on the first light receiving level of the light receiving unit 103 at the first time and the second light receiving level of the light receiving unit 103 at the second time after the first time. Therefore, the change in the presence or absence of the bill S is estimated.

With this configuration, the estimation unit 111 changes the presence or absence of the bill S when the difference between the first light receiving level at the first time and the second light receiving level at the second time in the time series is within a predetermined range. If it is determined that there is no banknote S and the difference exceeds a predetermined range, it is determined that there is a change in the presence or absence of the banknote S. Therefore, the estimation unit 111 differs between the first light receiving level of the light receiving unit 103 at the first time when it is determined that the bill S may exist and the light receiving level of the light receiving unit 103 at the second time thereafter. By comparing, it is possible to detect a change from a state in which it is determined that the banknote S may exist to a state in which the banknote S no longer exists. As a result, the paper leaf detection device 105 can determine whether or not the paper leaves have been removed by an operator or the like.

(5) The bill S has a non-transparent region A1 and a transparent region A2, and the first threshold value is set to a value at which the non-transparent region A1 of the bill S can be detected, and the second threshold value is set. Is configured so that the transparent region A2 of the bill S is set to a detectable value.

With this configuration, the paper leaf detection device 105 has a first threshold value capable of detecting the non-transparent region A1 and a second threshold value capable of detecting the transparent region A2. Therefore, the paper having the transparent region A2. The presence or absence of leaves (for example, polymer banknotes) can be appropriately detected.

(6) When the bill S (p) having the transparent region A2 is estimated not to be present by the estimation unit 111, the target light receiving level is such that the bill S having no transparent region A2 has the estimation unit 111. The configuration is set to a value lower than the target light receiving level when it is estimated that there is no light receiving level.

In the paper leaf detection device 105, between the first threshold value for detecting the non-transparent region A1 and the target light receiving level set as the target value of the light receiving level in the light receiving unit 103 when the bill S does not exist. , A second threshold value for detecting the transparent region A2 is set. Here, is the target light receiving level set in the absence of the bill S (p) having the transparent region A2 the same as the target light receiving level set in the absence of the bill S having the transparent region A2? Or, if it is high, the light receiving level changes rapidly in the gray judgment area where the second threshold value for detecting the transparent area A2 is set, and there is a possibility that it cannot be properly determined whether or not the light receiving level is in the gray judgment area. is there. Therefore, in the paper leaf detection device 105 according to the present embodiment, the transparent region has a target light receiving level set after the bill S (p) having the transparent region A2 does not exist in the accumulating portion 51. By setting the bill S to be lower than the target light receiving level set after the non-existent bill S does not exist in the accumulating unit 51, the change in the light receiving level in the gray determination region where the second threshold value is set becomes gentle, and the light receiving light is received. It is possible to appropriately determine whether or not the level is in the gray determination area.

(7) When the bill S (p) having the transparent region A2 is estimated not to be present by the estimation unit 111, the target light receiving level can be changed.

With this configuration, the presence or absence of paper leaves can be appropriately detected according to the type of paper leaves by making it possible to change the target light receiving level.

(8) A method for detecting the presence or absence of paper notes (banknote S) by an optical sensor 101 having a light emitting unit 102 and a light receiving unit 103, which is used to determine whether or not the banknote S is present. The first threshold value is set, the target light receiving level set as the target value of the light receiving level in the light receiving unit 103 when the bill S does not exist, and the value set to a value equal to or higher than the first threshold value and less than the target light receiving level. If it is estimated that there is no bill S when the light receiving level in the light receiving unit 103 is equal to or higher than the first threshold value and lower than the second threshold value, the light receiving unit 103 is set. The light amount of the light emitted from the light emitting unit 102 is adjusted so that the light receiving level at the above becomes the target light receiving level.

As a result, the transparent region A2 of the polymer banknote S (b) is located on the optical path of the light emitted from the light emitting unit 102, so that even if the light receiving level of the light receiving unit 103 is equal to or higher than the first threshold value. If it is less than the second threshold value set to a value lower than the target light receiving level, it can be determined that the polymer banknote S (p) exists or may exist.

Further, when the light receiving level in the light receiving unit 103 is equal to or higher than the first threshold value and lower than the second threshold value, and then the estimation unit 111 estimates that there is no bill S, the light receiving level in the light receiving unit 103 is determined by the bill S. The amount of light emitted from the light emitting unit 102 is adjusted so as to reach the target light receiving level when the light is not received. Therefore, since the light receiving level in the light receiving unit 103 when there is no bill S is the target light receiving level, the polymer banknote S is even when the transparent region A2 of the bill S is located on the optical path of the light emitted from the light emitting unit 102. It is possible to appropriately determine that (p) exists.

(9) When the light receiving level of the light received by the light receiving unit 103 is equal to or higher than the first threshold value and lower than the second threshold value, information indicating the possibility that the bill S is present is notified, and the bill S is present. After the information indicating the possibility is notified, it is estimated that the bill S does not exist when the confirmation operation for the notification is input.

With this configuration, when the operation display unit 60 and the voice output unit 61 notify the information indicating the possibility that the bill S exists, the estimation unit 111 receives a confirmation operation for the notification by the operator. It can be estimated that there is a high possibility that the bill S has been removed. Therefore, the estimation unit 111 can appropriately estimate that there is no bill S.

(10) A paper leaf processing device 1 that sorts paper sheets (banknotes S) inserted into the reception unit 11 under predetermined conditions and collects them in the collection unit 51, and identifies and counts the banknotes S. It has an identification counting unit 22 and a distribution unit 46 that distributes the bills S identified and counted by the identification counting unit 22 to a predetermined collection unit 51, and is any one of (1) to (8). The paper leaf detection device 105 described in the above is provided in the integrated unit 51.

With this configuration, by providing the paper leaf detection device 105 in the accumulation unit 51 of the paper leaf processing device 1, it is possible to satisfactorily detect the residue of the polymer banknote S (p) accumulated in the accumulation unit 51. it can.

The present invention may be applied to a paper leaf detection device, a paper leaf detection method, and a paper leaf processing device.

1 Paper leaf processing device 60 Operation display unit (notification unit)
61 Audio output unit (notification unit)
101 Optical sensor 102 Light emitting part 103 Light receiving part 105 Paper leaf detection device 111 Estimating part 112 Light amount adjustment part A1 Non-transparent area A2 Transparent area S Banknote (paper leaf)
S (p) polymer banknote

Claims

An optical sensor having a light emitting unit that irradiates light and a light receiving unit that receives the irradiated light.
It is set as a first threshold value used for determining whether or not paper leaves are present in the irradiated light path, and as a target value of the level of light received by the light receiving unit in the absence of the paper leaves. A storage unit that stores the target light receiving level and the second threshold value set to a value larger than the first threshold value and smaller than the target light receiving level.
An estimation unit that determines whether the level of light received by the light receiving unit is equal to or higher than the first threshold value and less than the second threshold value, and estimates whether or not the paper sheets are present.
When the estimation unit determines that the level of light received by the light receiving unit is equal to or higher than the first threshold value and lower than the second threshold value, and then the estimation unit estimates that the paper sheets do not exist. A paper leaf detection device having a light amount adjusting unit that adjusts the amount of light emitted by the light emitting unit so that the level of light received by the light receiving unit becomes the target light receiving level in the absence of the paper sheets. ..
When it is determined that the level of light received by the light receiving unit is equal to or higher than the first threshold value and lower than the second threshold value, the notification unit notifies information indicating that the paper sheets may be present. ,
It further has an operation unit that accepts a confirmation operation for the notification.
The paper leaf detection device according to claim 1, wherein the estimation unit estimates that the paper leaves do not exist when the confirmation operation is accepted by the operation unit.
When it is determined that the level of light received by the light receiving unit is equal to or higher than the first threshold value and lower than the second threshold value, a notification unit that notifies information indicating that the paper sheets may be present. Have more
The paper leaf detection device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the estimation unit estimates that the paper leaves do not exist when a certain time has passed since the information was notified.
The estimation unit is a first light receiving level that is the level of light received by the light receiving unit at the first time, and a second light level received by the light receiving unit at a second time after the first time. 2. The paper leaf detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which estimates whether or not the paper leaves are present based on the light receiving level.
The paper sheets have a non-transparent area and a transparent area.
Claim that the first threshold value is set to a value that can detect the non-transparent region of the paper leaf, and the second threshold value is set to a value that can detect the transparent region of the paper leaf. The paper leaf detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
Claim that the target light receiving level is set to a value lower than the target value of the light level received by the light receiving portion in a state where the paper sheets having no transparent region do not exist in the irradiated light path. The paper leaf detection device according to 5.
The paper leaf detection device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the target light receiving level can be changed.
The paper leaf detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
The reception department that accepts the input of the paper leaves and
The paper leaf detection device is provided, and an accumulation unit for storing the paper leafs and
An identification counting unit that identifies and counts the paper sheets,
A paper leaf processing apparatus having a distribution unit for distributing paper sheets identified and counted by the identification counting unit to the accumulation unit.
Irradiate light with the light emitting part,
Receives the light emitted by the light receiving unit
The level of light received by the light receiving unit is equal to or higher than the first threshold value used for determining whether or not paper leaves are present in the path of the irradiated light, and the light is not present. It is determined whether or not it is less than the second threshold value set to a value smaller than the target light receiving level set as the target value of the light level received by the light receiving unit.
Estimate whether or not the paper leaves are present,
When it is estimated that the paper leaves do not exist after it is determined that the level of light received by the light receiving unit is equal to or higher than the first threshold value and lower than the second threshold value, the paper leaves do not exist. A method for detecting paper leaves, which comprises adjusting the amount of light emitted by the light emitting unit so that the level of light received by the light receiving unit becomes the target light receiving level.
When the level of light received by the light receiving unit is equal to or higher than the first threshold value and lower than the second threshold value, information indicating that the paper sheets may be present is notified.
Further including accepting a confirmation operation for the notification,
The paper leaf detection method according to claim 9, wherein it is estimated that the paper leaves do not exist when the confirmation operation is accepted.